Israel negotiating in bad faith

I am writing as a member of JSpace Canada, a progressive Zionist organization, which is committed to a democratic Jewish state alongside a viable Palestinian state. We are dismayed by the recent announcement by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to greatly accelerate settlement expansion in East Jerusalem. This exacerbates the occupation and undermines the creation of a Palestinian state. Settlement expansion is an act of provocation and bad faith during peace talks.

If a peace treaty is not achieved soon, Israel risks losing its status as a democracy, and with that, the support of progressive Jews who cherish the values in Israel’s Declaration of Independence. It also risks leaving a legacy of war and insecurity for future generations of both Israelis and Palestinians.

We call on Israel to halt settlement construction and make a good faith effort to achieve a just peace. We urge world leaders to take a strong position condemning actions by both Israelis and Palestinians that may undermine the success of these historic talks.